Cup dispensing system

ABSTRACT

A cup dispensing system includes a storage device having cups stored therein. At least one suction cup is attached to a housing. At least one actuator is attached to the housing. An air source and vacuum generator are attached to the at least one suction cup. The at least one actuator moves the at least one suction cup in a desired motion and the vacuum generator actuates on and off removing the cup from the storage device and positioning it at a specified location.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/537,709 filed Sep. 22, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a mechanism for removing cups from a storage device and placing them at a desired location.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mechanisms for moving a cup are generally known in the art. For example, picking devices having opposing fingers that grasp a cup and move it to a desired location are known in the art. However, such systems are generally unreliable and secure gripping and placement of a cup in a desired location is not repeatable over a large number of cycles. There is therefore a need in the art for a cup dispensing system and apparatus that reliably removes a cup from a storage device and orients the cup in a desired location.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, there is disclosed a cup dispensing system that includes a storage device having cups stored therein. At least one suction cup is attached to a housing. At least one actuator is attached to the housing. An air source and vacuum generator are attached to the at least one suction cup. The at least one actuator moves the at least one suction cup in a desired motion and the vacuum generator actuates on and off removing the cup from the storage device and positioning it at a specified location.

In another aspect, there is disclosed a cup dispensing system that includes a storage device having cups stored therein. A pair of suction cups are attached to a housing. At least one actuator is attached to the housing. An air source and vacuum generator are attached to each of the suction cups. The at least one actuator moves the pair of suction cups in a desired motion and the vacuum generator actuates on and off removing the cup from the storage device and positioning it at a specified location.

In a further aspect, a cup dispensing system includes a cup storage device having cups stored therein. A pair of suction cups are attached to a housing. Y and Z axis actuators are attached to the housing. An air source and vacuum generator are attached to each of the suction cups. The Y and Z axis actuators move the pair of suction cups in a desired motion and the vacuum generator actuates on and off removing the cup from the storage device and positioning it at a specified location.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a beverage dispensing apparatus including a cup dispensing system;

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of a cup dispensing system including Y and Z actuators as well as the housing and suction cups;

FIG. 3 is a partial side view of a housing including a pair of suction cups approaching a cup in a cup storage device at an approach angle;

FIG. 4 is a sectional cut view of a suction cup detailing the outer lip and cup body as well as the mesh and opening of the suction cup;

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view of a suction cup vacuum source and cup prior to actuation of the vacuum generator;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view as in FIG. 5 after a vacuum generator has been actuated on causing the suction cup body to compress and adhere to a cup surface;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the air and vacuum generator coupled to the suction cups.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1-7, there is shown one embodiment of a cup dispensing system 10. As best shown in FIG. 1, the cup dispensing system 10 includes a storage device 12 having cups 14 stored therein. In one aspect, the storage device 12 includes a turret storage device that rotates providing a desired type or size of cup 14. In this manner, various sized cups may be positioned within the storage device 12 and accessed when needed.

The cup dispensing system 10 also includes at least one suction cup 16 attached to a housing 18. In the depicted embodiments, the at least one suction cup 16 includes two suction cups or a pair of suction cups 16 that are separated from each other along a vertical Y axis. In one aspect, the suction cups 16 are separated from each other a distance such that the cup 14 is stabilized during a dispensing process.

The cup dispensing system 10 also includes at least one actuator 20 that is attached to the housing 18. Various numbers of actuators may be utilized depending on the orientations of the cups 14 and the necessary movement for positioning a cup 14 at a desired or specified location. In the depicted embodiments, the at least one actuator 20 includes two actuators 20. The two actuators 20 include a first actuator or Z actuator 22 that moves up and down and a second or Y actuator 24 moving the suction cups 16 toward and away from the cup 14 along a Y axis.

The cup dispensing system 10 also includes an air source 26 and vacuum generator 28 attached to the at least one suction cup 16. In the depicted embodiment including the pair of suction cups 16, each of the suction cups 16 is attached to the air source 26 and a separate vacuum generator 28, as best shown in FIG. 7. The at least one actuator 20 moves the at least one suction cup 16 in a desired motion and the vacuum generator 28 actuates on and off removing the cup 14 from the storage device 12 and positioning it at a specified location.

As best shown in FIG. 2, the Y and Z actuators 24, 22 may be linear type actuators that move the housing along the Y and Z axes. The Y and Z actuators 24, 22 may include a motor 30 that moves a driven mechanism in either of the Y or Z axis along a track.

Referring to FIGS. 4-6, the suction cups 16 may include a suction cup body 32 having an outer lip 34. In one aspect, the outer lip 34 is formed of a material having a stiffness less than the suction cup body 32. The suction cup body 32 includes an opening 36 formed therein for introducing a vacuum pressure into the suction cup 16. Additionally, a mesh filter 38 may be positioned within the suction cup body 32 over the opening 36 preventing debris from entering the opening 36.

In one aspect, the suction cup body 32 includes a bellows structure 40 that compresses when a vacuum is applied as best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. In one aspect, the outer lip 34 has a diameter of 1.46 inches and the opening includes a diameter of 1.18 inches. Further, the outer lip 32 material has a stiffness soft enough to wrap around a curvature of the cup surface and the cup body has a stiffness strong enough to support a shear load that is applied as the cup 14 is removed from the storage device 12.

The cup dispensing system 10 may be utilized with various sizes and types of cups including paper, plastic, paper with wax, and Styrofoam cups. Additionally, the cups 14 in the storage device 12 may have various dimensions including a height of from 3.5 to 7.5 inches, a top rim diameter of from 2.75 to 4.5 inches, and a bottom rim diameter of from 2 to 3 inches. Additionally, the cups 12 may have various tapers or angles from a top to a bottom.

Referring to FIG. 4, the at least one suction cup 16 is moved at the cup at 14 an approach angle with respect to a vertical center line of the cup accommodating a taper of the cup 14. In one aspect, the angle of approach may be from varied depending on the type of cup and cup taper relative to a vertical axis.

As stated above, the cup dispensing system 10 includes an air source 26 and a vacuum generator 28. In one aspect, the air source 26 has a pressure of approximately 50 to 58 psi. In this manner, the vacuum generator 28 generates a vacuum of approximately 16 to 26 inches of mercury.

The cup dispensing system 10 may include a control system 44 connected to the cup dispensing system 10. The control system 44 may adjust an air inlet pressure to vary the vacuum generated. Additionally, the control system 44 may determine when to actuate the various Y and Z actuators 24, 22 based upon a sensor input indicating when a cup 14 should be dispensed. In one aspect, the cup dispensing system 10 applies a force of from 3 to 9 pounds when removing the cup 14 from the storage device 12 and may vary according to the size of the cup as well as the various dimensions of the cup.

In use, the cup dispensing system 10 may align an appropriate cup 14 using the turret such that it is rotated to a desired position. Next, the Z axis actuator 22 moves the cup 14 upward to align the uppermost suction cup 16 to the highest exposed part of the cup 14 or just below the bottom edge of the cup storage device 12. Following, the vacuum generator 28 is turned on generating a vacuum. Next, the Y actuator 24 moves the suction cups 16 toward the cup 14 at a desired angle of approach. Following, the Z actuator 22 moves the cup 14 downward and the cup 14 is removed from the cup storage device 12. Following removal of the cup 14, the Y actuator 24 moves the picked cup towards a desired or specified location. Next, the Z actuator 22 moves the cup 14 downward and the Y actuator 24 moves away resulting in the cup being positioned at the specified location.

As stated above, each suction cup 16 may be driven off its own independent vacuum generator 28. By keeping the lines independent one suction cup 16 can pull a vacuum even when the other suction cup 16 is slightly leaking. This redundancy allows the cup dispensing system 10 to work with only one fully functional suction cup 16 and also increases the likelihood of a pulled cup 14 for cups having small diameters or large seams. If either suction cup 16 becomes misaligned, the other suction cup 16 can still pull the drink cup 14 in which will aid in creating a seal in the misaligned suction cup 16. In this manner, this allows the suction cups 16 to contact the drink cup 14 at different times and still pull a vacuum such as the case of a cup having a large taper. Additionally, as stated above, the bellows shape 40 of the suction cup body 32 allows for variable targeting of the cups 14. In other words, the axial position and angle of the cups 14 will vary as different size cups having different tapers are utilized. If the drink cup 14 is off alignment, the bellows 40 compresses and accommodates for the misalignment.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner. It should be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than limitation. Many modifications and variations of the invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described. 

1. A cup dispensing system comprising: a storage device having cups stored therein; at least one suction cup attached to a housing; at least one actuator attached to the housing; an air source and vacuum generator attached to the at least one suction cup; wherein the at least one actuator moves the at least one suction cup in a desired motion and the vacuum generator actuates on and off removing the cup from the storage device and positioning it at a specified location.
 2. The cup dispensing system of claim 1 wherein the storage device includes a turret storage device that rotates providing a desired type of cup.
 3. The cup dispensing system of claim 1 wherein the at least one suction cup includes two suction cups separated from each other along a vertical Y axis.
 4. The cup dispensing system of claim 3 wherein the suction cups are separated from each other a distance such that the cup is stabilized during a dispensing process.
 5. The cup dispensing system of claim 1 wherein the at least one actuator includes two actuators.
 6. The cup dispensing system of claim 5 wherein the two actuators include an up and down Z actuator and a Y actuator moving the suction cups toward and away from the cup.
 7. The cup dispensing system of claim 1 wherein cups in the storage device have a height of from 3.5 to 7.5 inches, a top rim diameter of from 2.75 to 4.5 inches and a bottom rim diameter of from 2 to 3 inches.
 8. The cup dispensing system of claim 1 wherein the at least one suction cup includes a suction cup body having an outer lip.
 9. The cup dispensing system of claim 8 wherein the outer lip is formed of a material having a stiffness less than the suction cup body.
 10. The cup dispensing system of claim 8 wherein the suction cup body includes an opening formed therein for introducing a vacuum pressure into the suction cup.
 11. The cup dispensing system of claim 10 including a mesh filter positioned within the suction cup body over the opening preventing debris from entering the opening.
 12. The cup dispensing system of claim 11 wherein the outer lip has a diameter of 1.46 inches and the opening has a diameter of 1.18 inches.
 13. The cup dispensing system of claim 8 wherein the suction cup body includes a bellows structure that compresses when a vacuum is applied.
 14. The cup dispensing system of claim 3 wherein each suction cup is connected to a separate vacuum generator.
 15. The cup dispensing system of claim 8 wherein the outer lip material has a stiffness soft enough to wrap around a curvature of the cup surface and the cup body has a stiffness strong enough to support a shear load as the cup is removed from the storage device.
 16. The cup dispensing system of claim 1 wherein the at least one suction cup is moved at the cup at an approach angle with respect to a vertical center line of the accommodating a taper of the cup.
 17. The cup dispensing system of claim 16 wherein the angle of approach may be varied relative to a vertical axis.
 18. The cup dispensing system of claim 1 wherein the inlet air has a pressure of approximately 50-58 psi.
 19. The cup dispensing system of claim 18 wherein the vacuum generator generates a vacuum of approximately 16-26 inches of mercury.
 20. The cup dispensing system of claim 1 including a control system connected to the cup dispensing system.
 21. The cup dispensing system of claim 20 wherein the control system adjusts an air inlet pressure to vary the vacuum generated.
 22. The cup dispensing system of claim 1 wherein the cup dispensing system applies a force of from 3-9 pounds removing the cup from the storage device.
 23. A cup dispensing system comprising: a storage device having cups stored therein; a pair of suction cups attached to a housing; at least one actuator attached to the housing; an air source and vacuum generator attached to each of the suction cups; wherein the at least one actuator moves the pair of suction cups in a desired motion and the vacuum generator actuates on and off removing the cup from the storage device and positioning it at a specified location.
 24. A cup dispensing system comprising: a storage device having cups stored therein; a pair of suction cups attached to a housing; Y and Z axis actuators attached to the housing; an air source and vacuum generator attached to each of the suction cups; wherein the Y and Z axis actuators moves the pair of suction cups in a desired motion and the vacuum generator actuates on and off removing the cup from the storage device and positioning it at a specified location. 